De Ondernemer: ‘From refugee to CEO’, the story of Shadi Alhakimi and Taaly

Dutch business title De Ondernemer (DPG Media) published a feature on Taaly: more than 6,000 users, a team of seven FTE and the ambition to grow across the border. And on how hard it was to find funding as a refugee.

No loan for a refugee

Journalist Robert Hüsken describes Taaly's first years. Banks would not lend and many investors were hesitant. The breakthrough came through the IGNITE Award (€100,000), the Rabo Foundation and Stichting DOEN.

The social side makes the difference

At the time of publication Taaly had over 6,000 users: 5,500 newcomers and 450 volunteer language partners. What Taaly saw is that the human contact in language coaching has an enormous impact on integration. That insight is still the foundation of the platform today.

“We see that the social side of language coaching has an enormous impact on integration.”
Shadi Alhakimi in De Ondernemer (translated from Dutch)

Taaly today

Taaly has since grown into the digital integration assistant for newcomers: language, participation and work in one app, with more than 30,000 learners, 4,200 taalcoaches and partnerships with 18 municipalities.

Read the full article

From refugee to CEO: Shadi Alhakimi's success with Taaly. De Ondernemer, by Robert Hüsken (13 June 2024).

Want to see what language coaching with Taaly delivers? See the results